What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSedum Sarmentosum Extract
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantHyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
HumectantHydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantAllantoin
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPhytosterols
Skin ConditioningBeta-Glucan
Skin ConditioningCeramide NP
Skin ConditioningArginine
MaskingPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningCholesterol
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantHydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Skin ConditioningMadecassoside
AntioxidantAsiaticoside
AntioxidantCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningChlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingGlucose
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantButylene Glycol
HumectantFructooligosaccharides
HumectantFructose
HumectantHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantSorbitan Olivate
EmulsifyingLauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingPropanediol
SolventBenzyl Glycol
SolventHydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans
HumectantMaltodextrin
AbsorbentCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Sedum Sarmentosum Extract, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Betaine, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Panthenol, Phytosterols, Beta-Glucan, Ceramide NP, Arginine, Phospholipids, Cholesterol, Tocopherol, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Tromethamine, Glucose, Hydroxyacetophenone, Butylene Glycol, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sorbitan Olivate, Lauroyl Lysine, Sodium Phytate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Propanediol, Benzyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Maltodextrin, Carbomer
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDicaprylyl Carbonate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
EmollientEthylhexyl Palmitate
EmollientNiacinamide
SmoothingMacadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil
Skin ConditioningCocos Nucifera Oil
MaskingCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningCereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Extract
HumectantMoringa Oleifera Seed Extract
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
EmulsifyingGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPanthenol
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTromethamine
BufferingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantSodium PCA
HumectantCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingWater, Glycerin, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Niacinamide, Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Hyaluronate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Pentylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tromethamine, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCarbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture.
Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%.
It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier.
Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%.
A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions.
Learn more about CarbomerEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinThis ingredient is also known as Macadamia Seed Oil. It's an emollient with a fatty acid profile that closely mirrors the skin's own lipid makeup.
The palmitoleic acid content is especially notable as it's somewhat rare in plant oils. Palmitoleic acid is something your skin already makes naturally. It helps keep cell membranes structured and plays a role in fighting off harmful microbes.
This palmitoleic content is also part of why macademia seed oil absorbs quickly and doesn't leave much of a greasy residue.
It also contains oleic acid, linoleic acid, and phytosterols that can help reduce redness.
In vitro research has shown the oil to have meaningful antioxidant activity, protect fats in the skin from oxidative damage, and slow down the enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid.
A 2024 clinical study found it effective at improving skin hydratino and reducing wrinkle appearance when formulated into nanoemulsions.
Because it carries oleic acid (C18) and palmitic acid (C16), this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. This is because the Malassezia yeast metabolizes in the C11-24 chain length range.
You'll also see this ingredient listed as: Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil.
This is the same ingredient; M. ternifolia is an older INCI naming convention for the edible macadamia nut, while M. integrifolia is the species actually cultivated for oil production. Both names refer to the same oil.
Learn more about Macadamia Integrifolia Seed OilPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateTromethamine (aka THAM) is a synthetic amino acid that shows up in skincare as a helper ingredient.
It functions as a pH adjuster to help neutralize acidic ingredients and set a formula's pH to the right spot.
This matters a lot because a lot of actives (like vitamin C) needs a specific pH to work well and feel comfortable on skin.
Concentration use ranges from 0.1-1.0% depending on the formula.
Learn more about TromethamineWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water